Diaspora-based TikToker Assan Jobe, who has over 400,000 followers, has described tribalism in The Gambia as “foolish,” saying it only exists on social media and in politics.
In a recent video, Assan highlighted that inter-tribal marriages remain widespread in the country, adding that Gambians generally do not discriminate against each other in their personal relationships. He said he has never come across a situation where intimacy or marriage was rejected on tribal grounds.
“If you go to The Gambia, you see Mandinka married to Wollof, Jola married to Wollof, Fula married to Jola, and they are having a nice sex life with no problem,” he said, jokingly.
Many of Jobe’s followers echoed his sentiments. One commented, “I never agreed with you, but this one I agree with you,” while another argued that tribalism is often exploited by politicians during elections, who manipulate tribal sentiments and encourage attacks along tribal lines on social media.
Most comments emphasized that outside the political arena, Gambians live together harmoniously and do not treat one another as enemies based on tribe.